Sunday, January 27, 2013

After winning the Smile Awards 2012 as Best Hotel for Stress-free Business Trip And Trip Advisor 2012 Certificate of Excellence, Avenue Plaza Hotel once again made a mark for Bicol Hospitality & Tourism Industry.

Experience the Good Life. Visit www.theavenueplazahotel.com to reserve your room with instant confirmation!

Naga City, Philippines – 19 January, 2013 – THE AVENUE PLAZA HOTEL announced today that it was awarded as one of the winners in the Top 25 Hotel Service in the Philippine category for TripAdvisors Travelers’ Choice® Awards 2013.

“We are proud to be in the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice 2013’s Top 25 Hotels for Service in the Philippines, number 15 at that, besting more prominent hotels in Metro Manila and renowned hospitality brands in long-established destinations around the country, said Mr. Allan Cu, President and General Manager of Avenue Plaza Hotel. “Being included in the list is another feather in our cap--- one more honor from an independent organization, just like our presence in the Smile Awards Best Brand in Travel and Tourism 2012. This new recognition is an affirmation of the dedication that we put into our work, and a propellant for our determination to unceasingly refine our service.”

Now in its eleventh year, the annual TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice awards honor the world’s best hotels, earning their distinction from those who know them best – real travelers. Unlike any other hotel honors, TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice winners are based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from travelers around the world. Avenue Plaza Hotel has been constantly awarded with TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award. This accolade, which honours hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveller reviews on TripAdvisor. Approximately 10 percent of accommodations listed on TripAdvisor receive this prestigious award.

“TripAdvisor is once again thrilled to recognize the world’s most outstanding hotels with the help of more than 75 million reviews and opinions from travelers around the globe,” said Christine Petersen, president, TripAdvisor for Business. “From the best bargain hotels to top luxury properties, outstanding service, value and quality are the hallmarks of our Travelers’ Choice winners.”

Millions of travelers check the website of TripAdvisors for reviews about the hotels and so far, Avenue Plaza gained a lot of excellent reviews. KDsedward, a senior review contributor in TripAdvisor, who have been a regular hotel guest since 2010 shared that it is the "small touches" that truly stands out. He wrote “I was continuously impressed by their importance of the small touches, ONES which really makes a stay memorable and relaxing. When we arrived, we were greeted warmly by the doorman and by the receptionist with their charming smiles. Within minutes, we were presented with a fancy cold lime drink while the counter staff prepared our room key. Check-in was fast and efficient. Once we got into our room we served a complementary fruit plate with a personalized welcome card from the President/General Manager.”

Aside from the information published by the Avenue Plaza Hotel, first hand experiences from previous guests really help other travelers know what it feels like staying at the hotel prior booking their room. Dom094, also senior review contributor, said that Avenue Plaza is “Truly 5 star hotel of Naga City. I consider it the best hotel in Naga that is comparable to Shangri-la only in a smaller scale.”

At Avenue Plaza Hotel, guests are not just welcome with warm Filipino hospitality but also treated like a family. This signature personalized service that makes you feel very comfortable was also experienced by a long staying guest from USA, Mr.Richard who wrote in the comment card that “the staff were so helpful, accommodating and friendly. Coming back to the hotel each day was like coming home.” Other guests also left notes expressing how they’ll miss the Avenue Plaza because of the fond memories during their stay. Highly satisfied and delighted, guests also refer this first class accommodation to their family, friends and business colleagues.

President and General Manger Mr.Cu once again expressed his company’s commitment to all those who made all these recognitions possible. “We do not, and we will never rest on our laurels, though. Team Avenue Plaza Hotel’s goal is to improve our service culture and service level every single day; to give our guests that top-notch cosmopolitan treatment at all times.”

“Five years in operations, I can say that Avenue Plaza is on the right tract.” said Ms. Apple Allison Perez, Brand Manager, in realizing the hotel’s vision of being known for its brand of unique service culture and mission of providing a fine tradition of service responsive to global requirements for luxury, lifestyle and individuality of the discerning guests. “We are committed in making the Avenue Plaza, a homegrown Bicolano brand, to be internationally recognized. By sustaining an engaging relationship with our clients through our digital marketing efforts, we are able to connect with them in different social media platforms like TripAdvisor and Facebook. By doing this, we can provide assistance and extend our services to them even before or after they stay at the Avenue,” Ms. Perez added.

In October 2012, Avenue Plaza Hotel also bested other hotels that mean business. With 61.5% vote from the online poll conducted to traveler readers by Cebu Pacific’s Smile Magazine, Avenue Plaza Hotel won the Smile Award 2012 for BEST HOTEL FOR A STRESS-FREE BUSINESS TRIP category. The award cited “Avenue Plaza’s modern facilities, clean rooms, airport shuttle services, location and outstanding customer service have pleased guests from both the Philippines and abroad”.

So next time your business or your much needed holiday takes you to Naga City, you already know where to stay. For promo updates and inquiries, visit the Avenue Plaza Hotel Facebook Page or log on to www.theavenueplazahotel.com. You may also call (Manila Line) 250 8199 and (local line) 473 9999.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

THE TRANSPORTATION department is soliciting bids for a P120.4-million consultancy contract to update the detailed engineering design of the new Bicol International Airport.

“The Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) will engage a consultant to update the detailed engineering design for the passenger terminal building of the Bicol International Airport at Brgy. Alobo, Daraga and to assist the bidding process of the project...,” according to a notice published in two newspapers yesterday. [read more]

1. This contest is open to all Albayanos aging from 16-21 years old.2. Original birth certificate and one (1) Xerox copy. (Original certificate will be returned after validating the Xerox copy.)3. One (1) passport size colored picture.4. Contestant must bring his/her canned music accompaniment during the elimination.ELIMINATION : February 03, 20136pmDARAGA COVERED COURT

2. Competition Requirements/Judging Guidelines• Completed Registration Form as provided by the Municipal Tourism Office of Daraga.• Sketch and Synopsis to be submitted on or before February 8, 2013 at the Municipal Tourism Office. It should be in short size bond paper enclosed in a short brown envelope.• The paint should depict the theme of CAGSAWA RUINS.• Artist should provide a sketch of his/her entry & synopsis to explain the details of the body art.• Judges decision is final and irrevocable.• Each artist must provide their own materials for painting and provide their own model/s.• Date of Competition February 13, 2013, 8:00am-5:00pm, Wednesday, at Cagsawa Ruins Park & Resort.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

2. The contestant is responsible for their piece, props, visual effects and others.

3. The organizer is not liable of any unseemly and unpleasant incident which may happen to a contestant during the presentation. (The contestant will ensure safety in the entire duration of the presentation.

4. The contestant will give one (1) minute to prepare on stage for his/her piece.

5. The contest piece of each grand finalist should have bicol remix song/s.

6. Each group must consist of 10 to 15 members.

7. The Maximum Presentation is five (5) minutes. Violations will demerit 1 point deduction from the total score garnered by the contestant.

8. The contestant will be judged with the following criteria

Showmanship/Mastery - 5 points

Creativity/Choreography - 3 points

Over-all Impact - 2 points

Total 10 points

9. The contest will be on February 2, 2013 for elimination and February 21, 2013 for the Grand Finals @ 6:00 pm at Daraga Covered Court.

St. Luke's Medical Center is a tertiary referral hospital located in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. It is the most advanced hospital in the Philippines and considered as one of the best hospitals in Asia and in the world.

How to get there?

From Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) 3 terminal, take Andrews Avenue, then turn left to Sales Road, and proceed all the way to Lawton Avenue, continue proceeding towards 5th Avenue inside Global City. Then turn left to Rizal Drive until you see the entrance to the lobby of St. Luke's Medical Center. The hospital is located at 32nd street near S & R Shopping Center and Bridgestone.

From Mandaluyong: Ride a bus from Monumento, get off at MRT-Ayala station or take the MRT to Ayala station, from MRT Ayala station take the North Exit and proceed at The Fort bus/shuttle terminal just around the nearest corner. It passes through Market! Market! and St. Luke's Medical Center.

From Mandaluyong: Ride a bus or MRT and get off at MRT Guadalupe Station. Proceed at the jeepney terminal near Jollibee. Take the jeep going to Market! Market!. At Market! Market! look for the E-trike pick-up station. It passes through Serendra, Bonifacio High Street and St. Luke's Medical Center.

From Makati: Arrive at the MRT Ayala station, take the North Exit and proceed at The Fort bus/shuttle terminal just around the nearest corner. It passes through Market! Market! and St. Luke's Medical Center.

From Muntinlupa: From Alabang, ride a bus to Monumento via EDSA. Get off at MRT Ayala station, take the North Exit and proceed at The Fort bus/shuttle terminal just around the nearest corner. It passes through Market! Market! and St. Luke's Medical Center.

The City of Batac, known as the "Home of Great Leaders", is situated in the mid south-western portion of Ilocos Norte. It is bounded by the municipalities namely: San Nicolas on the north; Sarrat and Banna on the east; Nueva Era on the southeast; Pinili on the South; Currimao and Paoay on the west.

The city is 18 kilometers to Laoag City, capital of the province; 275 kilometers to the Regional Center, San Fernando, La Union and about 472 kilometers to Metro Manila. How to get to Batac City?

From Manila/Baguio/Dagupan/Vigan/San Fernando: Ride a Laoag-bound bus (Partas/Florida/Fariñas) then drop at Batac City.

From Laoag: Ride a Manila-bound bus from Laoag or ride a jeep labeled Laoag-Batac-Paoay (Terminal is near Fariñas Bus Terminal) then drop at Batac City.